Marine propulsion.



H. HERR.

MARINE PROPULSION.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. H. l9l6.

Patented Dec. 3, 1918 INVENTOR HIS ATTORNEY IN FACT UNITED STATES TENT oEEroE. i

HERBERT T. HERR, OF PITT-SBURG rI-I, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

MARINE PROPULSION.

To all "whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT T. HERB, a citizen of the United. States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in, the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have made a new and useful Invention in Marine Propulsion, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to turbineinstallations, and particularly to organized power producing apparatus suitable for use in marine propulsion.

An object of the invention is to produce an organized turbine apparatus, which is capable of operating eiiiciently under widely varying loads and at different speeds.

In battleship construction it is necessary to maintain the efficiency of the power developing apparatus at high speed and also at cruising or low speed, and an object of my invention is to produce apowerdeveloping apparatus which fulfils this requirement.

A further object is to produce a power developing apparatus, suitable for ship propulsion in which means are employed for obtaining hi gh economy while the apparatus is operating not only at high and at low speeds but also at determined intermediate speeds.

These and other objects, which will be made apparent throughout-the further descriptionof the invention, are attained by means of apparatus embodying the features herein described and illustrated,inthedrawings accompanying and forming .a part hereof. f

In the drawings, Figures land 2 are diagrammatic illustrations of different embodiments of my invention.

In Fig. 1, I have illustrated an apparatus which is capable of maintaining high economy, while operating under widely varying power and speed conditions. As illustrated, the apparatus is adapted to drive a single propeller shaft 3 andincludes a turbine unit, generally illustrated at 4, which is divided into two sections, an initial section 5 and a low pressure section 6, both of which are 7 geared to the propeller shaft 3 by means of a reduction gearing 7. The apparatus also includes a cruising element 8 which,under certain power and speed conditions, is adapted to operate in series with the initial section 5 of the turbine unit 4. As illustrated, this element is geared to the shaft of the section 5 by means of a reduction gearing 9,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 19518.

Application filed February 11, 1916. Serial No. 77,702.

so that it operates through double reduction gearing, in delivering power to the propeller shaft 3.

The turbine unit 4 illustrated corresponds in essential details to the turbine disclosed in Patent No. 1,155,516 of October 5, 1915, issued to Henry F Schmidt of Pittsburgh, Pa. The initial section includes a high pressure stage'lO, which receives motive fluid from a conduit 11, and which, is adapted to deliver the motive fluid, issuing from it, to intermediate and low pressure elements included within the initial section. The inter; mediate and low pressure elements are adapted to expand fluid received by them to exhaust pressure and consequently the section 5 is shown equipped with a condenser 12, which communicates with exhaust passages formed in both ends of the turbine section. The exhaust passage at the admission end of the section communicates with a reversing element, diagrammatically shown at 13, which is adapted to receive motive fluid from a conduit 14 and which is separated from the ahead portion of the turbine of which, as has been described, passes through the low-pressure elements of the section 5, while the other is deliver-ed through a conduit 15 to the low pressure section 6. The low pressure section is illustrated as a double flow turbine and consequently the fluid delivered to it by the conduit 15 is divided into two separate streams which pass through the bilaterally symmetrical working passages of that section. The section 6 is adapted to expand the motive fluid received by it to exhaust pressure and is served by a condenser 16. With this arrangement, the motive fluid delivered from the high pressure stage 10 of the section 5 is divided into three separate streams; or, in other words, the turbine unit 4 is provided with three low pressure elements, through which the steam issuing from the high pressure stage passes in parallel. As described in the Schmidt patent, above referred to, the initial section 5 is designed to operate with highest efiiciency'under diflerent speed conditionsffrom those for which the turbine 6 is-constructed, although the efiiciency of the a pinion 20 by means of a disconnectible coupling or clutch 21. The pinion 20 also meshes with the gear 19; WVhile developing full power both the sections 5' and are operatively connected through the gearing? to the propeller shaft 3 and motive'fluid is delivered to both sections, as has been previously described. Under such conditions, both condensers 12 and 16 are in operation and the gearing9 is preferably disconnected from the shaft of the section 5, a disconnectible clutch or coupling '22 being em ployed for this purpose.

At reduced speed, for example, at twothirds 'speed, the conduit 15 isclosed by means of a valve 23'and the clutch 21 is thrown out. This renders the low pressure section 6 inoperative as apower developing agent, and the propeller shaft receives power from the section5 only, and the condenser 16 may be shut down. p

At alower speed, the cruising element operates in series with the section 5. This cruising element may be of any type, and While operating in series with the section 5, is adapted to partially expand the motive fluid before delivering it to that section.

As illustrated, the conduit 11 is provided with a valve 25, and a bypass is provided around the valve which includes the cruising element 8, a valve inlet pipe or passage 26, which receives fluid from the conduit 11 on the supply side of the valve, 25, and a valved discharge pipe or passage 27 which communicates with the conduit 11 on the delivery side of the valve 25. WVith this arrangement the section 5 receiveslow pressure or expanded fluid from the element 8 and power is delivered to the shaft 3 by the element 8 through the reduction 'gearings 7 and 9 and by the section 5 through the single reduction gearing 7.

As an alternative arrangement, I have shown at 28 a valved connection between the section 8 and the condenser 12. This connection will only be open when the valve in the discharge pipe or passage 27 is closed and consequently the cruising element 8' could, under emergency or underv certain speed and power conditions, operate independently of the section and whether that section were receiving high pressure fluid or not. I have also illustrated a valved pipe or passage 29 for delivering high pressure motive fluid to the low pressure section 6 in case of an emergency or in case thesection 5 is incapacitated. While this pipe or passage is delivering motive fluid to the section 5'. means of a clutch 38 to a pinion '39, which 1,2se,e25

6, the valve 23 in the passage 15 will of course be closed, and the section 6 may operate independently of or in conjunction with the section 8.

In Fig. 2, I have illustrated an embodi ment of the invention in which two turbine units, similar to the unit 4, are employed and by the turbine unit 31, which delivers power to the shaft 3 through double reduction gearing, (viz. the gearing 7.and a gearing 36), andlwhich, like the unit 4, is formed in two sections, 32 and 33. The initial section 32 of this unit is similar in structural details to the section 5 of Fig. land is adapted to deliver approximately two-thirds of the steam issuing from its high pressure stageto the low pressure section 33. in connection with the unit 4, both the sections 32 and 33 maybe served by a single condenser 34, although it is desirable to provide a separate valve betweenthe exhaust of each section and the condenser. The section 32 is shown directly connected to a pinion 35, which meshes with a gear 36 coupled, by means of a disconnectible coupling or clutch 37, to the shaft of the section The section 33 is shown coupled, by

also meshes with the gear 36*. The gear 36 and pinions 35 and 39 comprise'the reduction gearing 36.

"A cruising element 40 is shown operatively connected to the shaft of the section. 32 by means of a reduction gearing 41 and a disconnectible coupling or clutch 42. This element is adapted to receive motive fluid from a conduit 11 which supplies the section 5 and also the section 32. It is "also adapted to return fluid to the conduit 11 and for this purpose a valve 43 is provided in the conduit 11 around which fluid, delivered to the element 40, is bypassed. A similar construction is employed in connection with the section 32 and, as illustrated, a

As described valve 44 is provided in the conduit 11, on

the inlet side of which a valved inlet pipe;

45 is located, while on the delivery side a valved discharge pipe 46 is located, both these pipes communicating with the section 32, and also with the conduit 11- Under full power conditions both the turbineunits 4 and '31 receive motive fluid, the valves 43 and 44 being open, the valves in the inlet and exhaust pipes communicating with the element 40being closed, and the valve in the exhaust pipe 46 being closed.

The clutches 21 and 37 are both in andthe clutch 42 is out. Under such conditions, both the units 4 and 31 operate as independent turbine units, the one delivering power to the shaft 3 through'the reduction gearing 7 and the other delivering power to the shaft through the reduction gearing 36 and the gearing 7.

For the purpose of reducing the power delivered to the propeller shaft and consequently the speed of the shaft, the section 6 may be cut out of operation by closing the valve in the pipe 15 and by throwing out the clutch 21. A further reduction in power may be accomplished by throwing out the clutch 38 and cutting off the steam supply to the section 33. Under such conditions both sections 5 and 32 operate as independent turbines, each being served by a separate condenser. For a further reduction in power, the section 32 may be cut out and the clutch 37 thrown out. For a still further reduction of power, the section 32 may be operated in series with the section 5. This is accomplished by closing the valve 44, opening the valve in the discharge pipe 46, and closing communication between the section 32 and the condenser 34, it being understood that communication between the section 33 and the condenser may be shut ofl when the section 33 is not in operation. Fluid deliveredto the section 32 will, after having traversed that section, be redeliverecl to the conduit '11 and by the conduit to the section 5. For a still further reduction in power the cruising element 40 will be brought into operation, so that it operates in series with both the sections 32 and 5. This is accomplished by closing the valve 43 and opening both the valves in the inlet and exhaust pipes communicating with the element 40. The clutch 42 will also be thrown in, so that the gearing 41 is operatively coupled to the shaft of the section 32. The

fluid delivered to the section 40 is partially expanded in that section, is returned to the conduit 11 on the delivery side of the valve 43 and is delivered to the section 32, where it is further expanded in doing work in that section. The fluid is then delivered to the section 5, as has already been described. Each of the elements 40, 32 and 5 will then deliver power to the propeller shaft 3; the first through the reduction gearings 41, 36, and 7, the second through the reduction gearings 36 and 7, and the third through the single reduction gearing 7. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the best economy for low speed conditions may be obtained by designing the initial sections of the units 4 and 31 so that they will develop highest efficiency while operating at certainv reduced speeds. It will alsobe apparent that under certain power conditions it may be desirable to bypass the fluid delivered; to the section 5' from the section 32 around. the high pressure stage of the section 5, It will also be apparent that the turbine unit 31 may be duplicated andiso arranged that the duplicate unitsmay be operatively connected by means of a reduction gearing to the shaft of the turbine section 6 or that the cruising element 40 may be replaced by an additional turbine unit similar to the unit 31 and that an additional cruising element may be employed. With such an arrangement, various combinations of elements may be obtained which will operate with high efficiency at various intermediate speeds and consequently the propelling apparatus will develop high economy while operating at a number of different determined speeds.

While I have illustrated but two embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as set forth by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An organized turbine apparatus, comprising a turbine unit divided into two sections, one of which receives partially expanded motive fluid from the other, a driven agent, independent means for operatively connecting each turbine section to the driven agent, and an independent turbine element adapted to deliver partially expanded motive fluid to one section of the turbine unit, under low power and low speed conditions, and to operate in parallel with the divided turbine unit under maximum speed conditions.

2. An organized turbine apparatus comprising a turbine unit, divided into an initial and a low pressure section, a driven agent, means for operatively connecting each section-to the agent while the unit is developing full power, and for operatively disconnecting the low pressure section from the agent while the turbine unitis developing reduced power, an independent turbine element, adapted to deliver partially expanded motive fluid to the initial section while the apparatus is developing relatively low power and operating at slow speed, a reduction gearing operatively connecting the shaft of the turbine element to the shaft of the initial section, a condenser serving the low pressure section of the divided unit, and a separate condenser serving the initial section so that said initial section may be operated independently of the low pressure section.

3. An organized power developing apparatus, comprising a driven agent, two power developing units, adapted to operate in parallel under full power conditions, a single reduction gearing between one of said units ratus, comprising a driven agent, 'a turbine unit, divided into an initial and a low pressure section, said low pressure section receiving partially expanded motive fluid from the initial section, means for independently operatively connecting said sections to said agent, means whereby said sections may be operated independently of each other, a second turbine unit, adapted to deliver partially expanded motive fluid to said initial section, and a reduction gearing between said second unit and said agent.

6. An organized power developing apparatus, comprising a driven agent, a turbine unit divided into two sections, one receiving partially expanded fluid from the other, a turbine element adapted, under certain power and speed conditions, to operate in series with one of said sections and under other power and speed conditions to operate in parallel with said sections, and reduction gearings so arranged that each section delivers power to said agent through a single reduction and said element delivers power to said agent through a double reduction.

7. An organized power developing apparatus comprising a driven agent, a turbine unit divided into an initial section, and a low pressure section operating in parallel with low pressure elements of the initial section on motive fluid delivered from a high pressure stage of the initial section, a second turbine unit adapted under certain speed and power conditions to operate in series with the initial section of said first mentioned unit, and speed reduction mechanisms and couplings so arranged that said second unit and either or both of said sections may be operatively connected to said agent.

8. An organized power developing appa- Copies of this patent may be obtained for under full power conditions, and meansfor operatively connectingeach section to said agent while the unit is developing full power, in combination with an independent turbine unit adapted to deliver partially expandedmotive fluid to the initial section while the apparatus is developing reduced power and to fully expand motive fluid under conditions of excessive load, and a speed'reducing mechanism between said element and a section of said unit.

9. An organized power developing apparatus, comprising a driven agent, a turbine unit formed in two sections, speed reducing mechanism between each of said 8801310115 and said agent, a second turbine unit divided into two section s,v speed reducing mechanism between said last mentioned sections and one section of said first mentioned unit, and means for operating one section of one unitin series with one section of the other unit.

10. An organized power developing apparatus, comprising a driven agent, two power developing units adapted to operate in parallel under full power conditions and. in series un-derreduced power conditions, a single reduction gearing between one of said units and said agent, anda double reduction gear ing between the other unit and said agent. 1

11. In an organized power developing apparatus, a driven agent, a turbine unit comprising an initial section, and a low pressure section adapted to operate in parallel with low pressure elements of the initial section on steam discharged from a high pressure stage ofthe initial section, a speed reducing mechanism between each section and the driven agent, a third turbine section adapted under certain power conditions i to deliver partially expanded steam to a high subscribed my name this 9th day of Febru-' ary, 1916.

HERBERT T. HERB.

five cents each, by addressing theFCommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. I 

